Real-World Learning
The Department of Psychology offers many opportunities for you to gain practical experience and make professional connections all while exploring your academic interests! Through field placement experiences, community-based learning, on-campus clubs and organizations, our students are involved both on and off campus in a variety of ways.
Field Studies & Experiential Learning
As a Psychology major at Elizabethtown College, you can gain valuable experience at a number of field study sites nearby. These experiences will help you solidify your career direction and also build your resume. Some of our field study placements include:
Animal Training
- Hershey Zoo
Business & Industry
- Innovation Focus
Criminal Justice
- Lancaster County Probation & Parole
- Mental Health America
Elder Care
- Masonic Homes
- Conestoga View Nursing & Rehabilitation
Psychiatric Treatment Centers
- Philhaven Hospital
- Community Services Group
- Crisis Intervention of Lancaster
- Manos House (Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation)
- Arch Street Center
School Psychology & Guidance Counseling
- Lancaster City Schools
- S. June Smith Center
- River Rock Academy Alternative School
Beyond Pennsylvania
Our majors have also received credit for Field Studies they have completed away from campus:
- FBI (Washington, DC)
- Dolphin Research Center (Grassy Key, FL)
Off-campus Research
Students may also earn credit for engaging in research off-campus. Our majors have worked with research teams examining neurological and psychiatric issues at:
- Hershey Medical Center
- Lebanon Veteran's Administration
Community-Based Learning
At the sophomore level, Psychology majors gain deeper insight into psychology by connecting their classwork to time spent working with community organizations in two of our courses: Community Psychology, and Adult Development and Aging. Community experiences will help you discern your career and life goals by working with organizations and applying skills learned in class, and enabling you to distinguish yourself from your peers.
What Graduates Think
100%
of alums surveyed reported that doing a psychology internship through Etown was a valuable experience
98%
of alums surveyed reported that internships helped them to make decisions about their careers
Clubs and Organizations
Additionally, you’ll have the chance to join on-campus clubs and organization devoted to the exploration of psychology.
Psi Chi Honor Society
Psi Chi is an international honor society for college and university students involved in psychology. The Elizabethtown College chapter of Psi Chi was established in May, 1977 and provides learning and leadership opportunities to its members by hosting visits for invited speakers, organizing special events in psychology, attending national conferences, and engaging in professional development experiences to prepare for graduate school. Psi Chi also sponsors scholarships for which student members are eligible to apply.
At Elizabethtown College, membership in Psi Chi is extended to students who meet all of the following criteria: (1) declared psychology as a major or minor, (2) completed at least three courses in psychology, (3) maintain an overall GPA in the top 35% of their class, and (4) maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in their psychology coursework.
Psychology Club
The Psychology Club, along with Psi Chi, invites guest speakers to campus, sponsors field trips to professional meetings and lectures to provide professional exposure, and provides a social group for informal exchange of ideas about psychology! This student-run organization aims to provide resources and enrichment for club members to succeed in the field of psychology.